KUALA LUMPUR: Akhimullah Anuar Esook took Malaysia into the semi-finals of the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires when he scored a brace in the 2-0 win against Austria Friday.
Malaysia will now play Zambia, who beat Australia 6-4 in the other quarter-finals. It was a big surprise as Australia had topped Group B while Zambia had finished fourth in Group A and barely made the quarter-finals.
Akhimullah scored in the 11th and 19th minutes, and Malaysia now have a good chance of advancing to the finals.
For the record, Malaysia had beaten Zambia 7-2 in Group A.
Friday, October 12, 2018
SOJC; Juniors exact revenge.. but too late too little
KUALA KUMPUR: The Malaysian juniors exacted sweet revenge when they beat Japan 1-0 in the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium Friday.
And the winner was scored in the 58th minute by Muhajir Rauf, who connected home a floating reverse stick shot from Abu Kamal.
The juniors did what the senior Malaysian side could not do at the Asian Games, where Japan came back from the dead to level the score at 6-6 with 20 seconds remaining, and then won gold on shoot-out.
However the win came too little too late, as Malaysia ended with four points in the tournament and will play in the fifth-sixth playoff against New Zealand/Australia.
"I hope the boys take home a good lesson from this match as we did almost everything right except score an early goal. Like I said before, we played for pride while Japan for a slot in the final and victory was ours.
"It's never easy to play at the bottom placing matches, but I am sure my players will give their best again to avoid the last spot.
The final will be between India and Britain, and in yesterday's last pool match, Britain edged India 3-2 to claim their spot.
It was India's first defeat in the tournament and coach Jude Felix was furious as his boys were leading 1-0 and then 2-1 before collapsing.
"We let Britain back into the match afer taking a lead twice, and we can't afford this attitude in the final," said Jude.
In the eight editions, India has made the final five times and became champions twice in 2013 and 2014.
RESULTS: India 2 Britain 3, Malaysia 1 Japan 0, Australia 4 New Zealand 0.
SATURDAY -- Final: India v Britain (8.30pm); Third-Fourth: Japan v Australia (6pm); Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia v New Zealand (3.30pm).
And the winner was scored in the 58th minute by Muhajir Rauf, who connected home a floating reverse stick shot from Abu Kamal.
The juniors did what the senior Malaysian side could not do at the Asian Games, where Japan came back from the dead to level the score at 6-6 with 20 seconds remaining, and then won gold on shoot-out.
However the win came too little too late, as Malaysia ended with four points in the tournament and will play in the fifth-sixth playoff against New Zealand/Australia.
"I hope the boys take home a good lesson from this match as we did almost everything right except score an early goal. Like I said before, we played for pride while Japan for a slot in the final and victory was ours.
"It's never easy to play at the bottom placing matches, but I am sure my players will give their best again to avoid the last spot.
The final will be between India and Britain, and in yesterday's last pool match, Britain edged India 3-2 to claim their spot.
It was India's first defeat in the tournament and coach Jude Felix was furious as his boys were leading 1-0 and then 2-1 before collapsing.
"We let Britain back into the match afer taking a lead twice, and we can't afford this attitude in the final," said Jude.
In the eight editions, India has made the final five times and became champions twice in 2013 and 2014.
RESULTS: India 2 Britain 3, Malaysia 1 Japan 0, Australia 4 New Zealand 0.
SATURDAY -- Final: India v Britain (8.30pm); Third-Fourth: Japan v Australia (6pm); Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia v New Zealand (3.30pm).
OMAN ACT: Oltmans sets semis as early target..
KUALA KUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will field a mixed squad for the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman on Oct 18-28.
The other teams in the fray are India, Pakistan, Oman, Japan and South Korea.
Malaysia, who ended with a bronze in the last edition, will be coached by Roelant Oltmans who feels that even though penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim and midfielder Fitri Shaari are not on the list, there is no reason not to do well.
"Even though Razie is out with a hamstring while Fitri wants to attend his University convocation, it has opened up an opportunity for others. We have a balanced squad and we are heading to Oman to give a good fight to all the other teams," said Oltmans.
Malaysia will open accounts against Asian Games champions Japan, and Oltmans has set semifinals as an early target.
"We will begin with a tough match against Japan, and it will be like the Asian Games final. We will first play to reach the semi-finals, and from there aim higher," said Oltmans.
MALAYSIA -- S. Kumar (gk), Hairi Rahman (gk), Shukri Mutalib, Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Faiz Helmi, Najib Hassan, Nabil Fiqri, Marhan Jalil, Azri Hassan, Meor Azuan, Joel Samuel, Norsyafiq Sumantri,
Firhan Ashari, Amirol Aideed, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Faizal Saari,
Nik Aiman, Shahril Saabah.
Malaysia's fixtures: Oct 18: Malaysia v Japan (10.55pm); Oct 20: Malaysia v Oman (1.10am); Oct 22: Malaysia v South Korea (10.55pm); Oct 24: Malaysia v India (1.10am); Oct 25: Malaysia v Pakistan (10.55pm).
The other teams in the fray are India, Pakistan, Oman, Japan and South Korea.
Malaysia, who ended with a bronze in the last edition, will be coached by Roelant Oltmans who feels that even though penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim and midfielder Fitri Shaari are not on the list, there is no reason not to do well.
"Even though Razie is out with a hamstring while Fitri wants to attend his University convocation, it has opened up an opportunity for others. We have a balanced squad and we are heading to Oman to give a good fight to all the other teams," said Oltmans.
Malaysia will open accounts against Asian Games champions Japan, and Oltmans has set semifinals as an early target.
"We will begin with a tough match against Japan, and it will be like the Asian Games final. We will first play to reach the semi-finals, and from there aim higher," said Oltmans.
MALAYSIA -- S. Kumar (gk), Hairi Rahman (gk), Shukri Mutalib, Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Faiz Helmi, Najib Hassan, Nabil Fiqri, Marhan Jalil, Azri Hassan, Meor Azuan, Joel Samuel, Norsyafiq Sumantri,
Firhan Ashari, Amirol Aideed, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Faizal Saari,
Nik Aiman, Shahril Saabah.
Malaysia's fixtures: Oct 18: Malaysia v Japan (10.55pm); Oct 20: Malaysia v Oman (1.10am); Oct 22: Malaysia v South Korea (10.55pm); Oct 24: Malaysia v India (1.10am); Oct 25: Malaysia v Pakistan (10.55pm).
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
SOJC 2018: Malaysia's top guns invited for seminar...
KUALA LUMPUR: Several prominent personalities will present papers at the Sports Administrators Seminar organised by the Johor Hockey Association (JHA) on Oct 12-13.
The seminar, held in conjunction with the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup will see the likes of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary general Datuk Windsor Paul as well as Malaysian Football League Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ramalingam sharing their experience on administration and marketing with the participants.
Other speakers who have agreed to grace the seminar are Dato Sieh Kok Chi (Former general secretary of Olympic Council of Malaysia), Dr. Vella Pandian (Head of Podium Programme ISN), K. Maheswari (Former hockey captain and vice president of KLHA), Dr Nadhratul Wardah Salman (Faculty of Law, University Malaya) and NSC Head of Career and Education for Athletes Safwan Radzi.
All the 16 state Hockey bodies were invited to send one participant with the cost of board and lodging borne by JHA. It was also extended to all district hockey associations in Johor as well.
“We are grateful to the speakers for consenting to present papers at the seminar,” said JHA acting president Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah.
“Sadly though many states did not respond and to me it is a wasted opportunity as the seminar would have provided insights into professional administration,
“However those who are attending will no doubt benefit from it.”
The opening of the seminar will be officiated by the OCM General Secretary Datuk Mohamad Nazifuddin on Friday.
Those who are keen to attend can contact JHA vice president Ir. Azhar (+60 12-707 2774 ).
The seminar, held in conjunction with the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup will see the likes of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary general Datuk Windsor Paul as well as Malaysian Football League Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ramalingam sharing their experience on administration and marketing with the participants.
Other speakers who have agreed to grace the seminar are Dato Sieh Kok Chi (Former general secretary of Olympic Council of Malaysia), Dr. Vella Pandian (Head of Podium Programme ISN), K. Maheswari (Former hockey captain and vice president of KLHA), Dr Nadhratul Wardah Salman (Faculty of Law, University Malaya) and NSC Head of Career and Education for Athletes Safwan Radzi.
All the 16 state Hockey bodies were invited to send one participant with the cost of board and lodging borne by JHA. It was also extended to all district hockey associations in Johor as well.
“We are grateful to the speakers for consenting to present papers at the seminar,” said JHA acting president Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah.
“Sadly though many states did not respond and to me it is a wasted opportunity as the seminar would have provided insights into professional administration,
“However those who are attending will no doubt benefit from it.”
The opening of the seminar will be officiated by the OCM General Secretary Datuk Mohamad Nazifuddin on Friday.
Those who are keen to attend can contact JHA vice president Ir. Azhar (+60 12-707 2774 ).
Monday, October 8, 2018
Nor Saiful: My boys not ready yet...
KUALA LUMPUR: Juniors coach Nor Saiful Zaini admitted Monday half his team is far from ready to play at the international level.
This came about after Malaysia were humiliated 6-1 by Australia in the Eighth Edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru on Sunday.
The hammering came at the back of a 2-1 defeat to India, and Malaysia will square off against New Zealand today.
"Not ready. Nine of my players are making their international debut, and even though they played well in the recent China Tour, they could not cope with what Australia dished out," said the former Olympian.
Malaysia, like India and Australia, had to send their best Under-18 players for the ongoing Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires but it looks like the other two teams have depth on the bench.
"Yes, we sorely miss the eight players who are in Buenos Aires, and even though I don't want to use that as an excuse, it did weaken our team.
"Those included for SOJC are not ready," stressed Nor Saiful.
The Youth Olympics is a Hockey 5s event, and Malaysia hammered minnows Vanuatu 14-0 in their opening match and will play Mexico next.
The SOJC team is part of Malaysia's Junior World Cup Qualifier side, with the other half in Argentina.
"However, looking at the bright side, I hope my players will use the SOJC as a learning curve and understand that they must put in what they practised or get hammered.
"We played open hockey against Australia because I did not want to hold back the boys at the juniors stage.
"Now we are left with no option but to beat New Zealand and then Japan to finish among the top-four."
For the record, the last time Malaysian juniors played the Kiwis was at the Uttar Pradesh Junior World Cup in 2016. Malaysia held them to a 1-1 draw at halt-time, but lost 3-1 in the 9th-12th placing match.
As for Japan, they have been on fire in the SOJC beating defending champions Australia and silver medallists Britain by 2-1 margins, and Malaysia will face another uphill match against them.
TUESDAY: Australia v Britain (4.05pm); India v Japan (6.05pm); New Zealand v Malaysia (8.35pm).
NOTE: All matches at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium and telecast live over RTM.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A pts
INDIA 2 2 0 0 9 2 6
JAPAN 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
AUSTRALIA 2 1 0 1 7 3 3
BRITAIN 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
MALAYSIA 2 0 0 2 2 8 0
NEW ZEALAND 2 0 0 2 3 10 0
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